That is pretty cool. A few years ago I watch a documentary on the Hoover Dam that showed the building of it.

Also compared it to if it were to be built in modern times.

If it were to be built with today's engineering it would use about a 1/3 of the concrete, with only 2 intake towers and generate 25% more electricity.

but today it wouldn't be possible... with all of politicians, permits, zoning and environmentalist it would never be allowed to be constructed after the millions of $$$ that would be spent on consultants. Sign of the times I guess

but today it wouldn't be possible... with all of politicians, permits, zoning and environmentalist it would never be allowed to be constructed after the millions of $$$ that would be spent on consultants. Sign of the times I guess

At the time they needed states along the Colorado river and California (California needed water for irrigation) to agree on a treaty. The two big reasons for the dam were flood control and water for irrigation. The Electricity was a added bonus. Interesting enough Hoover (he was on the commission to get states to negotiate the treaty) did not like the idea of one large dam and was more interested in two smaller ones and did not like the idea of power house at all! He did not believe in the idea of government getting into the electricity business. But the electricity the dam produced was sold to pay for the dam.

but today it wouldn't be possible... with all of politicians, permits, zoning and environmentalist it would never be allowed to be constructed after the millions of $$$ that would be spent on consultants. Sign of the times I guess